HVAC System With Selective Flowpath

ABSTRACT

A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system has a furnace comprising a furnace heat exchanger and an indoor HVAC unit comprising a refrigerant heat exchanger and at least one of a component of the furnace and a component of the indoor HVAC unit are selectively removable from an airflow path of the HVAC system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/762,204 filed on Feb. 7, 2013 byBicknell and entitled “HVAC System with Selective Flowpath,” thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems may directair through multiple components even while some of those components arenot in use. In some cases, directing air through unused components maybe associated with additional power consumption and/or lower HVACefficiency ratings.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the disclosure, a heating, ventilation, and/orair conditioning (HVAC) system is disclosed as comprising a furnacecomprising a furnace heat exchanger, and an indoor HVAC unit comprisinga refrigerant heat exchanger, wherein at least one of a component of thefurnace and a component of the indoor HVAC unit are selectivelyremovable from an airflow path of the HVAC system.

In other embodiments of the disclosure, an HVAC system is disclosed ascomprising an airflow path and a component disposed within the airflowpath, wherein an orientation of the component is selectively adjustablein response to at least one of a mode of operation of the HVAC systemand a temperature of air flowing through the airflow path.

In yet other embodiments of the disclosure, a method of increasing aheating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system efficiencyis disclosed as comprising selectively altering at least one of aposition and a presence of a component within an airflow path of an HVACsystem in response to a mode of operation of the HVAC system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the air circulation paths of the HVACsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an oblique view of a furnace of the HVAC system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an oblique view of an indoor unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an HVAC system according toanother embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an HVAC system according to yetanother embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure provides, in some embodiments, systems and methods for(1) selectively preventing and/or reducing passage of air through unusedheating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) components, (2)increasing an HVAC efficiency rating by preventing and/or reducingpassage of air through unused heating, ventilation, and/or airconditioning (HVAC) components, and (3) utilizing active and/or passivefeatures to selectively reduce a flowpath resistance. In someembodiments, an efficiency rating may be increased by utilizing one ormore of the above-listed features. In some cases, a rated SeasonalEnergy Efficiency Rating (SEER), Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) of theHVAC system, and/or Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ofthe HVAC system may be increased relative to a substantially similarHVAC system that does not alter a flowpath as disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of an HVAC system 100according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. HVAC system 100comprises an indoor unit 102, an outdoor unit 104, and a systemcontroller 106. In some embodiments, the system controller 106 mayoperate to control operation of the indoor unit 102 and/or the outdoorunit 104. As shown, the HVAC system 100 is a so-called heat pump systemthat may be selectively operated to implement one or more substantiallyclosed thermodynamic refrigeration cycles to provide a coolingfunctionality and/or a heating functionality. In alternativeembodiments, the HVAC system 100 may comprise a type of air-conditioningsystem that is not a heat pump system.

Indoor unit 102 comprises an indoor heat exchanger 108, an indoor fan110, and an indoor metering device 112. Indoor heat exchanger 108 is aplate fin heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange betweenrefrigerant carried within internal tubing of the indoor heat exchanger108 and fluids that contact the indoor heat exchanger 108 but that arekept segregated from the refrigerant. In other embodiments, indoor heatexchanger 108 may comprise a spine fin heat exchanger, a microchannelheat exchanger, or any other suitable type of heat exchanger.

The indoor fan 110 is a centrifugal blower comprising a blower housing,a blower impeller at least partially disposed within the blower housing,and a blower motor configured to selectively rotate the blower impeller.In other embodiments, the indoor fan 110 may comprise a mixed-flow fanand/or any other suitable type of fan. The indoor fan 110 is configuredas a modulating and/or variable speed fan capable of being operated atmany speeds over one or more ranges of speeds. In other embodiments, theindoor fan 110 may be configured as a multiple speed fan capable ofbeing operated at a plurality of operating speeds by selectivelyelectrically powering different ones of multiple electromagneticwindings of a motor of the indoor fan 110. In yet other embodiments, theindoor fan 110 may be a single speed fan.

The indoor metering device 112 is an electronically controlled motordriven electronic expansion valve (EEV). In alternative embodiments, theindoor metering device 112 may comprise a thermostatic expansion valve,a capillary tube assembly, and/or any other suitable metering device.The indoor metering device 112 may comprise and/or be associated with arefrigerant check valve and/or refrigerant bypass for use when adirection of refrigerant flow through the indoor metering device 112 issuch that the indoor metering device 112 is not intended to meter orotherwise substantially restrict flow of the refrigerant through theindoor metering device 112.

Outdoor unit 104 comprises an outdoor heat exchanger 114, a compressor116, an outdoor fan 118, an outdoor metering device 120, and a reversingvalve 122. Outdoor heat exchanger 114 is a spine fin heat exchangerconfigured to allow heat exchange between refrigerant carried withininternal passages of the outdoor heat exchanger 114 and fluids thatcontact the outdoor heat exchanger 114 but that are kept segregated fromthe refrigerant. In other embodiments, outdoor heat exchanger 114 maycomprise a plate fin heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, orany other suitable type of heat exchanger.

The compressor 116 is a multiple speed scroll type compressor configuredto selectively pump refrigerant at a plurality of mass flow rates. Inalternative embodiments, the compressor 116 may comprise a modulatingcompressor capable of operation over one or more speed ranges, thecompressor 116 may comprise a reciprocating type compressor, thecompressor 116 may be a single speed compressor, and/or the compressor116 may comprise any other suitable refrigerant compressor and/orrefrigerant pump.

The outdoor fan 118 is an axial fan comprising a fan blade assembly andfan motor configured to selectively rotate the fan blade assembly. Inother embodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may comprise a mixed-flow fan, acentrifugal blower, and/or any other suitable type of fan and/or blower.The outdoor fan 118 is configured as a modulating and/or variable speedfan capable of being operated at many speeds over one or more ranges ofspeeds. In other embodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may be configured as amultiple speed fan capable of being operated at a plurality of operatingspeeds by selectively electrically powering different ones of multipleelectromagnetic windings of a motor of the outdoor fan 118. In yet otherembodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may be a single speed fan.

The outdoor metering device 120 is a thermostatic expansion valve. Inalternative embodiments, the outdoor metering device 120 may comprise anelectronically controlled motor driven EEV, a capillary tube assembly,and/or any other suitable metering device. The outdoor metering device120 may comprise and/or be associated with a refrigerant check valveand/or refrigerant bypass for use when a direction of refrigerant flowthrough the outdoor metering device 120 is such that the outdoormetering device 120 is not intended to meter or otherwise substantiallyrestrict flow of the refrigerant through the outdoor metering device120.

The reversing valve 122 is a so-called four-way reversing valve. Thereversing valve 122 may be selectively controlled to alter a flow pathof refrigerant in the HVAC system 100 as described in greater detailbelow. The reversing valve 122 may comprise an electrical solenoid orother device configured to selectively move a component of the reversingvalve 122 between operational positions.

The system controller 106 may comprise a touchscreen interface fordisplaying information and for receiving user inputs. The systemcontroller 106 may display information related to the operation of theHVAC system 100 and may receive user inputs related to operation of theHVAC system 100. However, the system controller 106 may further beoperable to display information and receive user inputs tangentiallyand/or unrelated to operation of the HVAC system 100. In someembodiments, the system controller 106 may comprise a temperature sensorand may further be configured to control heating and/or cooling of zonesassociated with the HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the systemcontroller 106 may be configured as a thermostat for controlling supplyof conditioned air to zones associated with the HVAC system 100.

In some embodiments, the system controller 106 may selectivelycommunicate with an indoor controller 124 of the indoor unit 102, withan outdoor controller 126 of the outdoor unit 104, and/or with othercomponents of the HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the systemcontroller 106 may be configured for selective bidirectionalcommunication over a communication bus 128. In some embodiments,portions of the communication bus 128 may comprise a three-wireconnection suitable for communicating messages between the systemcontroller 106 and one or more of the HVAC system 100 componentsconfigured for interfacing with the communication bus 128. Stillfurther, the system controller 106 may be configured to selectivelycommunicate with HVAC system 100 components and/or other devices 129,130, 131, 133 via a communication network 132. In some embodiments, thecommunication network 132 may comprise a telephone network and otherdevices 129, 130, 131, 133 may comprise a telephone. In someembodiments, the communication network 132 may comprise the Internet andother devices 129, 130, 131, 133 may comprise a so-called smartphoneand/or other Internet enabled mobile telecommunication device.

The indoor controller 124 may be carried by the indoor unit 102 and maybe configured to receive information inputs, transmit informationoutputs, and otherwise communicate with the system controller 106, theoutdoor controller 126, and/or any other device via the communicationbus 128 and/or any other suitable medium of communication. In someembodiments, the indoor controller 124 may be configured to communicatewith an indoor personality module 134, receive information related to aspeed of the indoor fan 110, transmit a control output to an electricheat relay, transmit information regarding an indoor fan 110 volumetricflow-rate, communicate with and/or otherwise affect control over an aircleaner 136, and communicate with an indoor EEV controller 138. In someembodiments, the indoor controller 124 may be configured to communicatewith an indoor fan controller 142 and/or otherwise affect control overoperation of the indoor fan 110. In some embodiments, the indoorpersonality module 134, or any other suitable information storagedevice, may comprise information related to the identification and/oroperation of the indoor unit 102 and/or a position of the outdoormetering device 120.

In some embodiments, the indoor EEV controller 138 may be configured toreceive information regarding temperatures and pressures of therefrigerant in the indoor unit 102. More specifically, the indoor EEVcontroller 138 may be configured to receive information regardingtemperatures and pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/orwithin the indoor heat exchanger 108. Further, the indoor EEV controller138 may be configured to communicate with the indoor metering device 112and/or otherwise affect control over the indoor metering device 112.

The outdoor controller 126 may be carried by the outdoor unit 104 andmay be configured to receive information inputs, transmit informationoutputs, and otherwise communicate with the system controller 106, theindoor controller 124, and/or any other device via the communication bus128 and/or any other suitable medium of communication. In someembodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured to communicatewith an outdoor personality module 140 that may comprise informationrelated to the identification and/or operation of the outdoor unit 104.In some embodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured toreceive information related to an ambient temperature associated withthe outdoor unit 104, information related to a temperature of theoutdoor heat exchanger 114, and/or information related to refrigeranttemperatures and/or pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/orwithin the outdoor heat exchanger 114 and/or the compressor 116. In someembodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured to transmitinformation related to monitoring, communicating with, and/or otherwiseaffecting control over the outdoor fan 118, a compressor sump heater, asolenoid of the reversing valve 122, a relay associated with adjustingand/or monitoring a refrigerant charge of the HVAC system 100, aposition of the indoor metering device 112, and/or a position of theoutdoor metering device 120. The outdoor controller 126 may further beconfigured to communicate with a compressor drive controller 144 that isconfigured to electrically power and/or control the compressor 116.

The HVAC system 100 is shown configured for operating in a so-calledcooling mode in which heat is absorbed by refrigerant at the indoor heatexchanger 108 and heat is rejected from the refrigerant at the outdoorheat exchanger 114. In some embodiments, the compressor 116 may beoperated to compress refrigerant and pump the relatively hightemperature and high pressure compressed refrigerant from the compressor116 to the outdoor heat exchanger 114 through the reversing valve 122and to the outdoor heat exchanger 114. As the refrigerant is passedthrough the outdoor heat exchanger 114, the outdoor fan 118 may beoperated to move air into contact with the outdoor heat exchanger 114,thereby transferring heat from the refrigerant to the air surroundingthe outdoor heat exchanger 114. The refrigerant may primarily compriseliquid phase refrigerant and the refrigerant may be pumped from theoutdoor heat exchanger 114 to the indoor metering device 112 throughand/or around the outdoor metering device 120 which does notsubstantially impede flow of the refrigerant in the cooling mode. Theindoor metering device 112 may meter passage of the refrigerant throughthe indoor metering device 112 so that the refrigerant downstream of theindoor metering device 112 is at a lower pressure than the refrigerantupstream of the indoor metering device 112. The pressure differentialacross the indoor metering device 112 allows the refrigerant downstreamof the indoor metering device 112 to expand and/or at least partiallyconvert to gaseous phase. The gaseous phase refrigerant may enter theindoor heat exchanger 108. As the refrigerant is passed through theindoor heat exchanger 108, the indoor fan 110 may be operated to moveair into contact with the indoor heat exchanger 108, therebytransferring heat to the refrigerant from the air surrounding the indoorheat exchanger 108. The refrigerant may thereafter reenter thecompressor 116 after passing through the reversing valve 122.

To operate the HVAC system 100 in the so-called heating mode, thereversing valve 122 may be controlled to alter the flow path of therefrigerant, the indoor metering device 112 may be disabled and/orbypassed, and the outdoor metering device 120 may be enabled. In theheating mode, refrigerant may flow from the compressor 116 to the indoorheat exchanger 108 through the reversing valve 122, the refrigerant maybe substantially unaffected by the indoor metering device 112, therefrigerant may experience a pressure differential across the outdoormetering device 120, the refrigerant may pass through the outdoor heatexchanger 114, and the refrigerant may reenter the compressor 116 afterpassing through the reversing valve 122. Most generally, operation ofthe HVAC system 100 in the heating mode reverses the roles of the indoorheat exchanger 108 and the outdoor heat exchanger 114 as compared totheir operation in the cooling mode.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of the air circulationpaths for a structure 200 conditioned by two HVAC systems 100 is shown.In this embodiment, the structure 200 is conceptualized as comprising alower floor 202 and an upper floor 204. The lower floor 202 compriseszones 206, 208, and 210 while the upper floor 204 comprises zones 212,214, and 216. The HVAC system 100 associated with the lower floor 202 isconfigured to circulate and/or condition air of lower zones 206, 208,and 210 while the HVAC system 100 associated with the upper floor 204 isconfigured to circulate and/or condition air of upper zones 212, 214,and 216.

In addition to the components of HVAC system 100 described above, inthis embodiment, each HVAC system 100 further comprises a ventilator146, a prefilter 148, a humidifier 150, and a bypass duct 152. Theventilator 146 may be operated to selectively exhaust circulating air tothe environment and/or introduce environmental air into the circulatingair. The prefilter 148 may generally comprise a filter media selected tocatch and/or retain relatively large particulate matter prior to airexiting the prefilter 148 and entering the air cleaner 136. Thehumidifier 150 may be operated to adjust a humidity of the circulatingair. The bypass duct 152 may be utilized to regulate air pressureswithin the ducts that form the circulating air flow paths. In someembodiments, air flow through the bypass duct 152 may be regulated by abypass damper 154 while air flow delivered to the zones 206, 208, 210,212, 214, and 216 may be regulated by zone dampers 156.

Still further, each HVAC system 100 may further comprise a zonethermostat 158 and a zone sensor 160. In some embodiments, a zonethermostat 158 may communicate with the system controller 106 and mayallow a user to control a temperature, humidity, and/or otherenvironmental setting for the zone in which the zone thermostat 158 islocated. Further, the zone thermostat 158 may communicate with thesystem controller 106 to provide temperature, humidity, and/or otherenvironmental feedback regarding the zone in which the zone thermostat158 is located. In some embodiments, a zone sensor 160 may communicatewith the system controller 106 to provide temperature, humidity, and/orother environmental feedback regarding the zone in which the zone sensor160 is located.

While HVAC systems 100 are shown as a so-called split system comprisingan indoor unit 102 located separately from the outdoor unit 104,alternative embodiments of an HVAC system 100 may comprise a so-calledpackage system in which one or more of the components of the indoor unit102 and one or more of the components of the outdoor unit 104 arecarried together in a common housing or package. The HVAC system 100 isshown as a so-called ducted system where the indoor unit 102 is locatedremote from the conditioned zones, thereby requiring air ducts to routethe circulating air. However, in alternative embodiments, an HVAC system100 may be configured as a non-ducted system in which the indoor unit102 and/or multiple indoor units 102 associated with an outdoor unit 104is located substantially in the space and/or zone to be conditioned bythe respective indoor units 102, thereby not requiring air ducts toroute the air conditioned by the indoor units 102.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the system controllers 106 may be configuredfor bidirectional communication with each other and may further beconfigured so that a user may, using any of the system controllers 106,monitor and/or control any of the HVAC system 100 components regardlessof which zones the components may be associated. Further, each systemcontroller 106, each zone thermostat 158, and each zone sensor 160 maycomprise a humidity sensor. As such, it will be appreciated thatstructure 200 is equipped with a plurality of humidity sensors in aplurality of different locations. In some embodiments, a user mayeffectively select which of the plurality of humidity sensors is used tocontrol operation of one or more of the HVAC systems 100. In someembodiments, the HVAC systems 100 may further comprise a furnace 170configured to burn fuel such as, but not limited to, natural gas,heating oil, propane, and/or any other suitable fuel, to generate heat.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an oblique view of a furnace 170 is shownaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure. In some cases, the furnace170 may comprise a furnace cabinet 172 that substantially envelopes aplurality of heat exchangers 174. In some cases, the furnace 170 maycomprise one or more baffles 176 configured to direct air in a mannerpredefined to at least one of increase efficiency of the furnace 170 andprevent overheating of particular components of the furnace 170. In somecases, the baffles 176 may present an airflow obstruction that generallyincreases resistance to airflow through the furnace 170. Accordingly,while the baffle 176 may serve a desired purpose during operation of thefurnace 170, the baffle 176 may unnecessarily require indoor fan 110 towork harder and/or use more power than would be required if the baffle176 were not present or were oriented differently. In some embodiments,the baffle 176 may comprise an adjuster 178 configured to allowselective movement of baffle 176 from the operational position shown as176′ for use when furnace 170 is operating to a less obstructive passiveposition shown as 176″ for use when furnace 170 is not operating. Insome embodiments, the passive position which is shown as 176″ may be aposition in which the baffle 176 is oriented relatively more parallel toa local airflow direction of air passing through furnace 170, therebyreducing resistance to passing air through the furnace 170. With suchselective orientation of baffle 176, the HVAC system 100 may be provideda higher energy efficiency rating because the energy required to passair through the furnace 170 is relatively lowered during operation ofthe HVAC system 100 in a cooling mode. In some cases, the adjuster 178may comprise a manually operated, motorized, actuated, and/orelectronically controlled hinge and/or joint 180 while in otherembodiments, the adjuster 178 may comprise a temperature and/orelectrical field sensitive bi-metallic and/or electricity responsivematerial configured to selectively move the baffle 176 between theoperational position 176′ and the passive position 176″. In the casewhere the baffle 176 position is electronically controlled, the baffle176 may be moved into the operational position 176′ when a call forfurnace 170 heating is active and the baffle 176 may be moved into thepassive position 176″ when the call for furnace 170 heating is inactiveand/or when a call for cooling and/or heat pump heating is active.

Similarly, a barrier opening 182 may be selectively provided by moving,removing, and/or otherwise altering and orientation of a barrier 184that may allow and/or disallow air to bypass and/or pass around the heatexchangers 174 rather than pass between and/or through them. In someembodiments, the barrier opening 182 may be disposed at a first end ofthe furnace 170, while the baffle 176 may be disposed at an oppositeand/or different end of the furnace 170. Further, in some embodiments,when furnace 170 is not operating, an alternative airflow path throughthe furnace 170 may be created that extends from the barrier opening 182to an opening created by configuring the baffle 176 in the passiveposition shown as 176″ that may allow an airflow through the furnace 170to bypass the heat exchangers 174.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an oblique view of an indoor unit 102 is shownaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure. In some cases, the indoorunit 102 may comprise an indoor unit cabinet 190 that substantiallyenvelopes the indoor heat exchanger 108. In some cases, the indoor unit102 may comprise one or more barriers 192 configured to direct airthrough the indoor heat exchanger 108 and to prevent passage of airaround the indoor heat exchanger 108. In some cases, passing the airthrough the indoor heat exchanger 108 may present an airflow obstructionthat generally increases resistance to airflow through the indoor unit102. Accordingly, while the barrier 192 may serve a desired purposeduring operation of the indoor heat exchanger 108, the barrier 192 mayunnecessarily require indoor fan 110 to work harder and/or use morepower than would be required if the barrier 192 were not present or wereoriented differently. In some embodiments, the barrier 192 may comprisean adjuster 194 configured to allow selective movement of barrier 192from the operational position shown as 192′ for use when indoor heatexchanger 108 is operating to a less obstructive passive position shownas 192″ for use when indoor heat exchanger 108 is not operating. In someembodiments, the passive position which is shown as 192″ may be aposition in which the barrier 192 allows air to bypass the indoor heatexchanger 108, thereby reducing resistance to passing air through theindoor unit 102. With such selective orientation of barrier 192, theHVAC system 100 may be provided a higher energy efficiency ratingbecause the energy required to pass air through the indoor unit 102 isrelatively lowered during operation of the HVAC system 100 in a furnaceheating. In some cases, the barrier 192 may comprise a motorized,actuated, and/or electronically controlled hinge and/or joint 196 whilein other embodiments, the barrier 192 may comprise a temperature and/orelectrical field sensitive bi-metallic and/or electricity responsivematerial configured to selectively move the barrier 192 between theoperational position 192′ and the passive position 192″. In the casewhere the barrier 192 position is electronically controlled, the barrier192 may be moved into the operational position 192′ when a call foroperation of the indoor heat exchanger 108 is active and the barrier 192may be moved into the passive position 192″ when the call operation ofthe indoor heat exchanger 108 is inactive and/or when a call for furnaceheating is active.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic of an HVAC system 500 is shownaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. In someembodiments, HVAC system 500 may generally be substantially similar toHVAC system 100. The HVAC system 500 may comprise return plenum 502, ablower 504, an indoor unit 506 comprising a refrigerant heat exchanger,a furnace 508, a bypass duct 510, and a supply plenum 512. In someembodiments, indoor unit 506 may be substantially similar to indoor unit102. Further, in some embodiments, furnace 508 may be substantiallysimilar to furnace 170. In some embodiments, an airflow path may beselected in response to which of the indoor unit 506 and the furnace 508are called for use. For example, in some cases, the blower 504 may bemoveable and/or selectively associated with only one of the indoor unit506 and the furnace 508 so that depending on which of the indoor unit506 and the furnace 508 are operating. In some cases, where the blower504 is operating but neither the indoor unit 506 nor the furnace 508 areoperating, the blower 504 may be aligned with, connected to, and/orotherwise associated with the bypass duct 510 to the exclusion of bothof the indoor unit 506 and the furnace 508. Accordingly, the HVAC system500 may be configured to selectively pass air through only thecomponents necessary for the desired type of HVAC operation and energysavings may be realized as a result of the lowered amount of energyconsumed by the blower 504 to move air from the return plenum 502 to thesupply plenum 512. In some embodiments, selection of the airflow pathmay comprise selective opening and closing of dampers 514.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic of an HVAC system 600 is shownaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. In someembodiments, HVAC system 500 may generally be substantially similar toHVAC system 100. The HVAC system 600 may comprise return plenum 602, ablower 604, an indoor unit 606 comprising a refrigerant heat exchanger,a furnace 608, and a supply plenum 610. In some embodiments, indoor unit606 may be substantially similar to indoor unit 102 and/or indoor unit506. Further, in some embodiments, furnace 608 may be substantiallysimilar to furnace 170 and/or furnace 608. In this embodiment, aresistance to moving air from the return plenum 602 to the supply plenum610 may be minimized by selectively mechanically removing one or both ofthe indoor unit 606 and the furnace 608 from the airflow path. In someembodiments, the removal of the indoor unit 606 and the removal of thefurnace 608 from an airflow path may be selected in response to which ofthe indoor unit 606 and the furnace 608 are called for use. For example,in some cases the indoor unit 606 may be removed from the flowpath whilethe furnace 608 is in use and the furnace 608 may be removed from theflowpath while the indoor unit 606 is in use. Accordingly, the HVACsystem 600 may be configured to selectively pass air through only thecomponents necessary for the desired type of HVAC operation and energysavings may be realized as a result of the lowered amount of energyconsumed by the blower 604 to move air from the return plenum 602 to thesupply plenum 610.

The discussion below illustrates an example of the impact unnecessarilyhaving a furnace disposed in an airflow may reduce an HVAC system SEERrating. In some cases, a 3 ton and/or 36,000 BTUH HVAC system maycomprise an indoor unit that generally requires 2,250 watts to power ablower and force air through the indoor unit and through a refrigerantheat exchanger. In cases where that same HVAC system is coupled with afurnace disposed in the airflow path downstream of the indoor unit andin which gas heat exchangers of the furnace obstruct the passage of airthrough the furnace, the HVAC system may require an additional 220 wattsto pass the air through both the indoor unit and the furnace. In somecases, the additional energy expended may reduce the HVAC system SEERrating from 16 SEER to about 14.57 SEER. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the above-described systems and methods of selectivelyaltering a flowpath and/or altering which components are disposed in aflowpath may provide at least a SEER increase of about 1.43 SEER.

This disclosure contemplates that efficiencies may be gained byselectively orienting and/or removing any HVAC component that is eithernot in use and/or which may allow bypass of unused components. Forexample, humidifier components may be selectively removed from anairflow path to reduce and amount of energy required to move air throughan HVAC system.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations,and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of theembodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art arewithin the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that resultfrom combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of theembodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Wherenumerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4,etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example,whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R_(l), and an upperlimit, R_(u), is disclosed, any number falling within the range isspecifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within therange are specifically disclosed: R=R_(l)+k*(R_(u)−R_(l)), wherein k isa variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percentincrement, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5percent, . . . , 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent,96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Unlessotherwise stated, the term “about” shall mean plus or minus 10 percentof the subsequent value. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two Rnumbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use ofthe term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means thatthe element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required,both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broaderterms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood toprovide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consistingessentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scopeof protection is not limited by the description set out above but isdefined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalentsof the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim isincorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claimsare embodiment(s) of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning(HVAC) system, comprising: a furnace comprising a furnace heatexchanger; and an indoor HVAC unit comprising a refrigerant heatexchanger; wherein at least one of a component of the furnace and acomponent of the indoor HVAC unit are selectively removable from anairflow path of the HVAC system.
 2. The HVAC system of claim 1, whereinthe furnace heat exchanger is configured for selective removal from theairflow path.
 3. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the refrigerantheat exchanger is configured for selective removal from the airflowpath.
 4. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the furnace and the indoorHVAC unit are configured to be disposed in different airflow paths. 5.The HVAC system of claim 1, further comprising: a bypass duct comprisingan airflow path that includes neither the furnace nor the indoor HVACunit.
 6. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the furnace comprises anoperational position in which the furnace is disposed within the airflowpath and the furnace comprises a passive position in which the furnaceis at least partially removed from the airflow path.
 7. The HVAC systemof claim 1, wherein the indoor HVAC unit comprises an operationalposition in which the indoor HVAC unit is disposed within the airflowpath and the indoor HVAC unit comprises a passive position in which theindoor HVAC unit is at least partially removed from the airflow path. 8.An HVAC system, comprising: an airflow path; and a component disposedwithin the airflow path, wherein an orientation of the component isselectively adjustable in response to at least one of a mode ofoperation of the HVAC system and a temperature of air flowing throughthe airflow path.
 9. The HVAC system of claim 8, wherein the componentis a baffle.
 10. The HVAC system of claim 8, wherein the component is abarrier.
 11. The HVAC system of claim 8, wherein the component comprisesan operational position and a passive position and wherein the passiveposition, relative to the operational position, reduces an amount ofenergy required to move air past the component.
 12. The HVAC system ofclaim 8, wherein the component comprises a hinge.
 13. The HVAC system ofclaim 8, wherein the component comprises a bi-metallic material.
 14. TheHVAC system of claim 8, wherein the component is adjustable in responseto electricity applied to the component.
 15. A method of increasing aheating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system efficiency,comprising: selectively altering at least one of a position and apresence of a component within an airflow path of an HVAC system inresponse to a mode of operation of the HVAC system.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising: at least partially removing a refrigerantheat exchanger from the airflow path in response to operation of afurnace of the HVAC system.
 17. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: at least partially removing a furnace from the airflow pathin response to operation of a refrigerant heat exchanger.
 18. The methodof claim 15, further comprising: in response to a selection of a mode ofoperation of the HVAC system, adjusting an orientation of a componentwithin the airflow path to reduce an amount of energy required to moveair past the component.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:in response to a selection of a mode of operation of the HVAC system,passing air around the component rather than through the component. 20.The method of claim 15, wherein the component is a baffle.